Madden NFL 12 Blog - No Additions This Year For Online Franchise Mode

[CRMosier_LM]

Quote: Originally Posted by Danimal

Let me ask a question can LM adjust the slider set? Can it make the cpu play better? Not trying to disrespect LM because I've not used it and it looks great, but if it can't do the above it makes it pointless for an Online Franchise that doesn't have every team human controlled. I ran a OF for 5 seasons and it folded because people hated playing the cpu. Scores came in at 90-7 and the integrity of the league stats were ruined. As others have pointed out to not at least get sliders settings for another year is just inexcusable in my opinion.

I was hoping for sliders and practice mode as well. What LM can do is give your league a shot at staying full in membership with the extra add-ons Derek released this morning in his LM Blog post. I despise playing the CPU also, in our league we have rules against running up the score vs CPU and have recently resorted to not allowing CPU games at all. Instead if you end up with a CPU game, another owner or reputable member of the community must sub in for the CPU.

[GGEden]

Quote: Originally Posted by CRMosier_LM

Yes, but I always try to look at it as "What can you do?", you know. I'm disappointed for sure but knowing that they added massive upgrades to offline franchise mode plus the addition of Roy Harvey from NCAA series is a big step in integrating a setup similar to what NCAA has now. Until then I will continue to play online franchise (with leagueManager) and just enjoy the game.

Many have made very good points in those recent posts in criticism of EA, and they're justified/valid points. Another point is -- EA deciding to just delegate (fob off) what they should've/could've done to LM instead, EA wanting to fry other fish, couldn't be bothered.

The silver lining is LM, them getting exclusive access etc, and the features LM will be adding to make it all 'pop' even more. And I duly applauded/acknowledged that.

But getting back to discontent with EA from a lot of people. I think it's rooted in more than just the actual announcement that online franchise wasn't touched. But joins a laundry list of letdowns, and the devil they know now after 5+ years of NFL exclusive license.

Notice what the EA guy said in defense initially, talking up all the cosmetic stuff, the million cameras for cut-scenes that people will just skip thru anyway, 3D grass etc etc. If there's one thing I personally criticize EA the most for is their utter focus on cosmetics/graphics over game-play/features/engine. Game-play > graphics, always. I still can look at the graphics of Madden 04 on, or 2k5, or APF, or NFL Gameday, etc, and it's still "good enough". It would still be good enough if the actual Madden 12 game had a ton more features, innovations, a new engine, more dynamic unscripted-like, new pre-snap adjustment and passing mechanisms, create a play, revolutionizing/streamlining packages etc etc....all the great suggestions people on OS have been posting for months and years.

EA company policy re: Madden should be: "What do the people want, what are all their suggestions, let's rebuild from the ground up, tailoring the next madden with all the best suggestions that can work together".

[jergrah]

Quote: Originally Posted by Broncos86

That has to be a disappointment for online franchise guys. But take this for what it's worth: Online franchise came around, and at the same time we offline franchise guys were told "hey, no new offline franchise stuff right now, but next year it'll rock." Here we are with Madden 12, and it's looking pretty darn good for offline franchise. Many people here have complained that the developers should use multi-year development cycles. Looks like online franchise is going to get this treatment. I know this sucks, but give it some time. We had to wait for a good offline franchise, and we're finally getting it as promised. I think they'll deliver the same for online franchise.

I like your optimism.....but Online Franchise 3 years in does 1/50th of what Offline Franchise has been doing since 2000

[jpdavis82]

Quote: Originally Posted by ebugaloo

I know what I'm going to do. I'm withholding my $60 Madden fee this year, and you guys let me know when you want to do this the right way. They guys over at the NCAA Football 12 seem to care about Online Dynasty, so they can get my money.

As someone who's either owned or played every Madden since 1992 and never even played Online Franchise or NCAA's Online Dynasty, and with all the improvements made in Gameplay and Offline Franchise I don't understand this statement.

[WDOgF0reL1fe]

Quote: Originally Posted by jpdavis82

As someone who's either owned or played every Madden since 1992 and never even played Online Franchise or NCAA's Online Dynasty, and with all the improvements made in Gameplay and Offline Franchise I don't understand this statement.

Maybe he is like me and doesnt like playing a CPU opponent?
This is 2011.
People play games online now and a CPU will NEVER be able to replicate a human.

[CRMosier_LM]

Quote: Originally Posted by TimsGiants

Even though I didnt have my hopes up It still a sick feeling that they did nothing Leaguemanager is awesome and definitely a league saver but one thing that concerns me is reading "LM exclusive rights to EA content" My league last year used both LM content and XFN content. So does that mean XFN is useless for madden 12? XFN had some features like being able to pull info onto our own website, build our look ect that LM didnt. LM had features like GM managent, cap structures ect that XFN didnt. Using both worked good Im just worried were losing options making online franchise even worse this year. Will LM charge? Its gonna get alot more users if its exclusive. I hope not, you would think EA could at least cover server costs considering all the work LM doing for their game.

Those are great questions! Derek has covered each of those questions you asked on his latest blog. I don't want to link it here without Steve Noah giving me permission but by all means feel free to look for yourself. One thing I will say is that it is a site designed by a Madden fan and Derek is not receiving any monetary compensation from EA Sports.

[statum71]

Oh well. Can't have everything.

Not enough to change my mind. Still waiting for Aug. 30th

[Broncos86]

Quote: Originally Posted by WDOgF0reL1fe

Maybe he is like me and doesnt like playing a CPU opponent? This is 2011. People play games online now and a CPU will NEVER be able to replicate a human.

Until Online Franchise overtakes offline franchise in terms of most played, that doesn't hold water when discussing Madden.